Caleb Charland is a photographer whose images inspire awe and wonder, particularly when you realize that all of his images are multiple exposures shot on film and then printed straight. Photoshop is not used in the creation of these puppies, which makes them even more amazing.

In an excerpt from an interview, he explains his process: “Silhouette With Matches (see left) was a simple process of multiple exposure. I shoot all my work with a view camera on 4×5 film. Basically, I took one exposure during the day for the background, then one at night while lighting and tossing the matches. This process left the outline of my body without the use of Photoshop.”

Charland’s pictures are magical, taking me back to a time when I would make science fair projects in elementary school. Most of the time, I didn’t really care if the project worked out, I just wanted to play with the stuff I was using to make the project with. Most often, that “stuff” had to do with matches and flashlights and things that moved through space.

But they are also metaphorical, such as Footprints with Matches (see below). This image implies as much as it tells, and leaves this viewer thinking about how much damage mankind has left behind in its frenzy to build and develop the land. Technically brilliant, visually arresting, and wonderfully thought-provoking, Caleb Charland is a photographer to watch.